Well-designed car and bike sharing systems result in fewer car journeys, not more, writes arnd bätzner from the Mobility Cooperatve.

Individual mobility today is stll car-based in structural problems. Infrastructure systems as All operatonal risks are many regions of the world. Meanwhile, city whole enttes appear prefereable to funding outsourced to service administratons struggle in keeping public isolated “clean-car projects”. providers. Typical examples transport systems as atractve as individual car for on demand economies travel. Car sharing has proven to be an ideal Transportaton systems are most efcient are “transportaton network complement to those who like the comfort and when they are the result of a holistc approach companies” (TNCs), platorms integratng all modes, combining their specifc independence of using an individual car without advantages. This includes shared vehicle modes. serving as marketplaces having to own one and without having to drive for taxi-like services. the full distance. sharing versus on demand Generally they do not share Car sharing is part of the sharing economy, not underutlized assets, but Users of car sharing services greatly improve to be confused with “on demand economy.” The generate new trips if new their ecological footprint. Transport is an integral part of today’s urban infrastructure; sharing economy, according to Rachel Botsman demand arises. and car sharing can be a major development who coined the phrase, is an economic system This is not the same as tool leveraging its potental. Research shows based on sharing underused assets or services ridesharing where passengers for free or for monetary benefts. that a high-quality percepton of infrastructure are matched to free seats results in an implicit acknowledgement across all On-demand services, on the other hand, are in cars for automobile trips classes of populaton. “...platorms that directly match customer that would be taken anyway. needs with providers to immediately deliver TNCs ofen encourage owners Poor infrastructure, ofen found in low income goods and services...” (Botsman, 2015). These to keep their vehicles by zones, partcularly regarding educaton or transport facilites, results in widespread platorms generally do not operate any physical ofering opportunites to infrastructure other than IT systems. generate additonal income